A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 81 Fishing in Troubled Waters

early morning.

Wang Qingdiao jumped off the bed with a swagger, opened his arms, and let Xiangling and Liu Wu'er help him get dressed.

He has begun a wonderful life of karmic retribution and has gradually started to act like an old man.

Like someone with ADHD, he would sometimes pinch Xiangling's soft, slender waist, and sometimes pat Liu Wu'er's lowered head.

Sensing Wang Qing's differential treatment, Liu Wu'er lowered her head in self-consciousness.

As a maidservant, she was expected to serve from the side.

There were some things she was too embarrassed to ask Sister Liu, but fortunately, she had Xiangling, a colleague with whom she had a mentor-student relationship, who was willing to teach her carefully.

Although I haven't had the opportunity to start working yet, I'm no longer as clueless as I was back then.

Wang Qing noticed Liu Wu'er's dejection, hooked her chin, and kissed her on the forehead. The little girl's worries immediately turned into joy.

After finally changing her clothes, Liu Wu'er pestered Xiangling again, asking her to share her experiences from the previous night.

When Wang Qing arrived at the main room, Sister Liu was already there with a sumptuous breakfast. She bent down to arrange the dishes.

Wang Qing glanced at the direction of the inner room, strode to the table, slowly sat down, and then, as if kneading dough, grabbed a handful of flesh from behind Sister Liu's back.

But she said in a serious tone, "Tell your mother-in-law that if the second master comes looking for you, give him the things I brought back the other day."

Also, go to the Second Madam's place again and tell her that the First Madam intends to betroth the Second Miss to me. If the Second Madam asks, say that you forgot before, but saw Wang Shanbao and Qin Fu from the First Master's side bringing Siqi over yesterday, and that's when you remembered it.

When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. Only by plunging the Jia family into internal strife can he fish in troubled waters.

That day at Rongqing Hall, Madam Xing forced Yingchun to toast, and Madam Wang, not wanting to be outdone, followed suit. He then guessed that the second wife's family had the same idea.

However, he was too busy with important matters at the time to think about it. It was only yesterday, when he went to the banquet and Madam Wang asked about Siqi, that he realized he had to make amends.

Last night, I had Siqi take two fur coats back with me, not only to improve his family's situation, but also to put some pressure on Madam Wang.

Once you've tried it once, you'll get used to it the second time, so Sister Liu readily agreed.

When Wang Qing went to the yamen, she invited Xiangling and Liu Wu'er to have breakfast, while she herself went to Rongxi Hall with ease.

Not long after, Madam Wang returned from her morning and evening greetings. After dismissing the servants, Sister Liu hurriedly reported the news to Madam Wang as instructed by Wang Qing.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang frowned slightly, then said gently, "You did very well! If anything else happens, remember to report to me. By the way, your brother has really been wronged up front; I'll have him follow the master later!"

For reasons unknown, Lady Wang did not tell Sister Liu that it was Jia Zheng who wanted the person.

She paused for a moment, then added, "Tell your brother to be careful; if anything happens with the master, remember to let me know as well!"

On the one hand, Jia Zheng's career was showing signs of improvement, so Lady Wang couldn't help but want to pay more attention to this aspect.

On the other hand, she also felt guilty. Last night, Jia Zheng had been lying on the table after drinking and had been freezing for most of the night, but she hadn't been able to take care of him. Afterwards, she couldn't go to see him. She was afraid that Jia Zheng would find out that she had been to Mengpo Studio last night and realize that something was wrong.

He then took the opportunity to arrange for Sister Liu's brother to act as an informant.

Having already tasted the benefits, and with Wang Qing backing her up, Sister Liu naturally wouldn't refuse.

Madam Wang then took out a second-grade fur coat from the ones that had been left over from the previous night and gave it to Sister Liu, saying, "Your fifth son is weak; take this and make him a fur coat!"

Sister-in-law Liu thanked him profusely, accepted the fur coat, and hurried off to tell her brother the good news.

……

West City Military Command.

Standing before the government office, Wang Qing glanced down the steps at the group of hooligans he had previously dealt with, and said, "Tell those gangsters in the capital that if they ever try to bully the people again, they'd better think twice about how many heads they have!"

He paused, then changed the subject, saying, "However, I also know that they are only good at fighting and have no other skills. Considering Heaven's benevolence towards life, if they are willing, they can change their ways and follow me, like you, to earn a living!"

Coal mining is a tough job with considerable risks.

Wang Qing plans to subject prisoners in Beijing to labor reform by assigning them to high-risk positions.

Among these people are notable murderers; evil people need evil people to keep them in check. Having these scoundrels supervise them not only prevents them from causing trouble but also makes the best use of them—a win-win situation.

As for the recruited workers, they were assigned to low-risk technical positions as much as possible.

After getting rid of the ruffians, he summoned several subordinates and inquired about the recruitment of sanitation workers and the reconstruction of the government office.

The five city military commands were merged, eliminating the need for separate offices.

Wang Qing planned to locate the government office in the Zhongcheng Military Command, while the remaining four locations would be converted into a small farmers' market.

In ancient times, logistics were far less developed than they are today.

Most of the mansions of high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital had special vegetable supply channels, and some even had farms outside the city.

However, ordinary people and low-ranking officials do not have such conditions. At most, they can only plant one or two plots in front of or behind their houses to be self-sufficient.

For farmers outside the city, selling vegetables for a meager income is extremely difficult.

After a period of environmental cleanup, Wang Qing also discovered this problem: these farmers, carrying loads into the city, could only sell their produce along the streets, which was not only tiring but also completely dependent on luck.

Even if they could supply officials and wealthy households, they would still be exploited by the servants who made the purchases.

In addition, as a modern person, Wang Qing knows best what the crowd effect is.

With this market, not only can the problem of buying and selling vegetables be solved, but the flow of people can also be used to convert part of the original government office into a sales and display point for coal stoves and honeycomb briquettes. The surplus can be rented out, which will be convenient for the people. While developing commerce, a certain amount of rent can also be earned.

After explaining the matter, he cleared his throat and continued, "The Second Master is preparing to present His Majesty with a good plan to replenish the national treasury. If the court adopts it, he plans to recommend me to be in charge of some defense matters."

You can ask the brothers in our camp if they have any young, strong, and hardworking men in their families, and introduce them to us then.

Promoting coal stoves and honeycomb briquettes not only increases revenue but also serves another clever purpose: expanding the army's manpower.

As for the reasons, they are readily available.

The area surrounding Beijing, as well as nearby Huailai and Xingtai, already has abundant coal resources.

To prevent anyone from stealing government coal and embezzling the imperial property, it was only natural to establish a mine protection team to strengthen defenses.

If we're talking about who in the capital is best at preventing thieves and robbers, then Wang Qing is undoubtedly the best.

It is only natural that Jia Zheng would recommend virtuous officials regardless of kinship.

In this way, with a complete internal and external supply chain, he can firmly grasp the coal stove and honeycomb briquette industry and its profits.

With this unofficial mine protection team, not only was there an armed force around the capital, but the team's size would also expand as coal stoves and honeycomb briquettes became more widespread.

Although the name doesn't sound like a regular army, the main thing to look at is the personnel and training.

Of course, if someone insists on competing with him for this position, he wouldn't mind using the same old tricks.

Although we cannot disclose the details, it does not prevent us from using this connection with the Rongguo Mansion as cover to make some preparations in advance.

……